Ice retainer for water pitchers



Y 0, 1930. F. PELLETIER ,7

ICE RETAINER FOR WATER PITCHERS Filed Sept. 9, 1929 15 5 z7 INVENTOR. faniR'l/fier BY ATTORNEY I Patented May 20, 1 930 UNITED STATES FRANK PELLETIER, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

ICE RETAINER FOR WATER PITCHERS Application filed September 9, 1929. Serial No. 391,296.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an ice retainer for water pitchers.

When a water pitcher is filled with water and chopped ice, and is carried by its handle, strains are communicated to the Wrist of the carrier. This is generally known, and the cause is that it is off balance. When the water is pouredfrom the pitcher then the off -balance is of advantage in that the pitcher may be readily tilted, but during carrying it would be advisable to carry the pitcher by a top handle instead of the side handle provide'd thereon.

The invention proposes, a vertical sprlng for urging the sectionsof an ice retainer apart and arranged so that when the ice retainer is applied within the top opening of a pitcher, the vertical spring also acts to provide a handle for carrying. It is contemplated to arrange the spring at the center so that the pitcher will be in perfect balance when carried thereby. Vertical friction-material covered prongs are arranged on the periphcry of the ice retainer for holding the latter element within apitcher and for holding the pitcher upon the ice retainer when the spring is used as a carrying handle. The prongs are arranged to provide for the self aligning of the ice retainer when inserted. Within a pitcher. I I

The invention also proposes the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is-of simple durable construction, dependable in use and efficient inaction, and which can be ma-nufactured'and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had; to the following 'de- 0 scription and accompanying. drawings, and to the appended claimsinwhich the variousnovelfeatures ofthe invention are more particularly set forth. 2 r

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a pitcher with the device.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device, per se. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the pitcher shown in Fig. 1, and illustrating the ice retainer in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but disclosing a device constructed according to the same invention but of modified form. n

Fig. 7 is another view similar to Fig. 2 but illustratinga modification thereof.

Fig. 8 is a verticalsectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7. V

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of Fig. 7 showing another embodiment thereof.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a further development of the supporting handle.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

The reference numeral 12 indicates a conventional pitcher having a handle 13 and a mouth 14 diametrically opposite the handle. An ice retainer 15 is engaged within the pitcher near its top and is of the type that expands for retaining its position. A strong verticalfspring 16 accomplishes the expanding of the sections of-the ice retainer and consists of a pair of vertical arms 17 each formed with transverse loops 18 constituting finger grips, and a top longitudinal loop 19 connecting the arms 17. This spring simultaneous with its expanding action constitutes a support handle for the pitcher.

The said ice retainer 15 consists of a pair of PATENT OFFICE T substantiallyadjacent semi-circular discs 20 and 21 touching the transverse loops 18. These discs are slightly spaced one above the other so as to be relatively slidable. straight sides of the semi-circular discs are aligned with each other so that both together substantially form a complete circle. Each of the disc sectionsis formed with a plurality of perforations 22for'thepassage of water.

The disc sections are sli'dably connected with each other for movements at right angles to their straightsides, and this is attained by lugs 23 from each disc section projecting in opposite directions from their inner edges 1 The = straight side.

and formed with superimposed slots 24.

Rivets loosely engage thru the superimsides. This may bese'en from an inspection of Fig. 2. One of the arms of the s ring 16 is attached at its bottom upon one ofthe secions, and the other of the armsupon the A lurality of yer: v

and maintains theprongs from bending I down. A rubber tube 28 is mounted upon other of the sections. tical prongs 26 connect with the periphery of the disc sections and have inturned free ends 27. Rubber or other friction tubes 28 are engaged upon the prongs and held against displacement by the inturned ends. 7 Since the prongs 26 are Vertical the outer elements ofthe rubber tubes are also vertical, and when the retainer is engaged within a pitcher the vertical elements of the tube act against the sides of the pitcher and serve to prop erly align" it in a substantially horizontal position.

In Fig. 2 four prongs 26 have been illustrated." These prongs are equally spaced around the periphery of the circle formed by the disc sections. In Fig. 6 six of these prongs have been illustrated. These prongs similarly are spaced at equal distances from each other. In other respects the device is similar tothe one illustrated in Fig. 2.

In Figs. 7 and 8. a modified form has been illustrated in whichapair of plates 29 and 30 are formed with points 31 and with one These plates together form a star shape. They are slidably connected with each other by lugs 32 projecting from the inner edges and formed with slots 33 engaged by loose rivets 34. The plate 29 is located directlyabove' a semi-disc 20, and the plate 30 directly above a semi-disc 21. V

The semi-discs 20 and 21 are constructed similar to the ones illustrated in Fig. 2, that is theyar'e provided with opposite directed lugs having slots and slida'bly connected by rivets' Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts to those shown in Fig. 2. The spring 16 is arranged for simultaneously urging the plates and the semi-discs apart.

' This is accomplished by the bottom ends of the arms of the springs engaging thru'the v plates and the semi-discs and held thereby .shap'ec'l plates.

nuts 35.

Each of, the points 31- terminatein vertical 5 prongs 26 and rubbertubes 28 engage ,upon

these prongs. The spring 16' serves to urge the elements apart so that the tubes 28 engage against the inner sides of a pitcher. The advantage of this construction is that the seinidiscs may be replaced by larger or smaller serve to hold the semi-discs in place. A removal of these nuts will permit the complete perforated disc structure to be removed and replaced as stated.

In Figs. 9 and 10, eaclrof the points 31' has been illustrated provided-with a. universal joint 36. Bent prongs 37 connectwith the universaljoint36 and are shaped sot-hat they have a vertical portion 88.with its centerof gravity in line with the plane of points '31; 'The universal joint is frictionally stiff each of the vertical portions of the bent prongs. \Vhen this retainer is engagedwithin a pitcher; the outer elements of the tubular rubber member 28 seek aligned positions with the inner sidesof the pitcher irrespective of the inclination thereof. It is merely necessary to insert the retainer haphazardly,

within the pitcher and the alignment is accomplished automatically. 7

In Figs. 11 and 12 a locking arm 40 'is shown hinged to sleeveel as at 42. Thesleeve 11 may be either loosely placed on one of the vertical arms 17 or-it may be secured thereto. arm {I0 is adapted toengage the other V81; tical arm 17 and to keep the two arms 17 apart after the ice retainer. 15 is placed within the pitcher 12 and to preventaccidental falling out of the ice retainer when a large piece of ice suddenly impinges with the ice retainer 15; When the locking arm 10 is forced into engaging positionas shown in Fig. 11, the ice retainer 15 is held securely in position and the pitcher 12 may be by inserting the finger in loop 19.

A V shaped notch 43 in locking its lifted Thistypeof locking arm may be used all the forms of ice retainers disclosed.

In operation of the device, the sections of the variousice retainers may be forced together by manually squeezing the arms ofthe spring together along the finger grip loops 18. In this condition, the device may be engaged within a pitcher or removed from a pitcher. The spring 16 is very strong so that when engaged in a pitcher, the latter element though filled with water and ice may be safely carried by the'spring 16 and if so desired the safety locking arm 40 may be forced into engagement and actas a handle. For

pouring the water the conventional handle 13 of the pitcher maybe used.

' Vhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, itis to be understood that I-do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modi fications coming within the scope of the in- If vention as defined in the appende'dclaims.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1.1 An ice retainer comprising a pair of semi-circular discs with their straightsides substantially adjacent each other, means for slidably connecting the disc sections to move at right angles to the straight sides, frictionmaterial covered vertical prongs connected With the edges of the disc sections for engaging against the inner sides of a pitcher, and a vertical spring for urging the disc sections apart and constituting a handle for supporting a pitcher in Which the retainer is engaged.

2. An ice retainer comprising a pair of semi-circular discs substantially adjacent each other, means for slidably connectingthe disc sections, friction-material covered ver tical prongs connectedwith the edges of the discsections for engaging against'the inner sides of a pitcher, and a vertical spring for urging the disc sections apart and constituting a handle for supporting a pitcher in which the retainer is engaged.

3. An ice retainer comprising a pair of semi-circular discs with their straight sides substantially adjacent each other, means for slidably connecting the disc sections to move at right angles to the straight sides, frictionmaterial covered prongs connected With the edges of the disc sections for engaging against the inner sides of a pitcher, and a vertical spring for urging the disc sections apart and constituting a handle for supporting a pitcher'in Which the retainer is engaged.

4. An ice retainer comprising disc sections substantially adjacent each other, means for connecting the disc sections to move away from each other, friction-material covered vertical prongs connected With the edges of the disc sections for engaging against the inner sides of a pitcher, and means for urging the disc sections apart and constituting a handle for supporting a pitcher in Which the retainer is engaged.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

FRANK PELLETIER. 

